Dogs may be banned from Farnham Heath during nesting season due to a '"minority" of dog walkers who allow their pets to disturb the birds

Time may be running out for dog walking on Farnham Heath due to the "reckless" owners whose animals threaten the habitat’s rare birds, wildlife experts have warned.

The RSPB, which owns the land near the Tilford Rural Life Centre, has said it is considering imposing a dog ban during the nesting season, which runs from February to August, or even prosecuting the "minority" of visitors who let their dogs worry fledging birds.

The warning follows a flurry of social media activity by wildlife enthusiasts, appalled at the behaviour of some dog walkers.

Some took to Twitter to slam "ignorant" dog owners who were throwing sticks into woodlark and Dartford warbler nesting areas for their dogs to fetch.

Others complained about dogs rushing into ponds and flushing out birds which were drinking there.

Rangers at the site have also criticised the number of walkers who do not clean up after their animals, despite the presence of a number of bins.

Many RSPB wildlife reserves across the UK operate a total ban on dogs, and, apart from on a small handful of public rights of way, the charity would be legally entitled to impose a ban on Farnham Heath.

Michael Coates, the Farnham Heath warden, said: “This is a nature reserve, not a park, and the wildlife comes first.

“A lot of the rare birds nest on the ground in the heather where they are very vulnerable to disturbance.

“If they are disturbed often enough, they will simply desert their nest.

“We put signs up at the beginning of the nesting season for people to keep out of the heather.

“The vast majority of people comply, but a persistent minority do not and that is a real problem.”

Recent research shows the population of woodlarks in secluded nesting zones is significantly higher than in areas available to the public, according to Mr Coates.

He said he wanted to work with local people on improving the situation, but argued that, while he does not want to restrict access to the reserve, the problem is getting worse.

“We have got to the point where people’s behaviour simply has to change,” he said.

Bird watchers have suggested, instead of an outright dog ban, a dogs-on-leads policy should be adopted during the nesting season.

Mr Coates indicated rangers were considering recruiting walkers who could "have a quiet word" with people failing to control pets.

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She has been editorial director of the online and print titles in Surrey and north-east Hampshire since 2007. Marnie previously worked at the BBC as a producer for 5 Live, having moved to national radio from BBC Sussex and Surrey.